Hepatoprotective potentials of Phyllanthus amarus against ethanol-induced oxidative stress in rats

The hepatoprotective effect of methanolic extract of the leaf of Phyllanthus amarus (P. amarus) against ethanol-induced oxidative damage was investigated in adult male Wistar albino rats. P. amarus (250 and 500 mg/kg/day) and ethanol (5 g/kg/day, 20% w/v) were administered orally to animals for 4 weeks and 3 weeks, respectively. Ethanol treatment markedly decreased the level of reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) in the liver, which were significantly enhanced by P. amarus treatment. Glutathione-S transferase (GST), which was increased after chronic ethanol administration, was significantly reduced by P. amarus treatment in the liver. Also, P. amarus significantly increased the activities of hepatic alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) as well as alkaline phosphatase (ALP), with a concomitant marked reduction in the plasma activity of the transaminases in the ethanol-challenged rats. Lipid peroxidation level, which was increased after chronic ethanol administration, was significantly reduced in the liver by P. amarus co-treatment. Results show that P. amarus leaf extract could protect the liver against ethanol-induced oxidative damage by possibly reducing the rate of lipid peroxidation and increasing the antioxidant defence mechanism in rats.     

Hepatoprotective activity of Amaranthus spinosus in experimental animals

The hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity of 50% ethanolic extract of whole plant of Amaranthus spinosus (ASE) was evaluated against carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) induced hepatic damage in rats. The ASE at dose of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg were administered orally once daily for fourteen days. The substantially elevated serum enzymatic levels of serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (AST), serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (ALT), serum alkaline phosphatase (SALP) and total bilirubin were restored towards normalization significantly by the ASE in a dose dependent manner. Higher dose exhibited significant hepatoprotective activity against carbon tetrachloride induced hepatotoxicity in rats. The biochemical observations were supplemented with histopathological examination of rat liver sections. Meanwhile, in vivo antioxidant activities as malondialdehyde (MDA), hydroperoxides, reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were also screened which were also found significantly positive in a dose dependent manner. The results of this study strongly indicate that whole plants of A. spinosus have potent hepatoprotective activity against carbon tetrachloride induced hepatic damage in experimental animals. This study suggests that possible mechanism of this activity may be due to the presence of flavonoids and phenolics compound in the ASE which may be responsible to hepatoprotective activity.     

Hepatoprotective effect of flavonol glycosides rich fraction from egyptianVicia calcarata desf. Against CCI4-induced liver damage in rats

The hepatoprotective activity of flavonol glycosides rich fraction (F-2), prepared from 70% alcohol extract of the aerial parts of V. calcarata Desf., was evaluated in a rat model with a liver injury induced by daily oral administration of CCl4 (100 mg/kg, b.w) for four weeks. Treatment of the animals with F-2 using a dose of (25 mg/kg, b.w) during the induction of hepatic damage by CCl4 significantly reduced the indices of liver injuries. The hepatoprotective effects of F-2 significantly reduced the elevated levels of the following serum enzymes: alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). The antioxidant activity of F-2 markedly ameliorated the antioxidant parameters including glutathione (GSH) content, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD), plasma catalase (CAT) and packed erythrocytes glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) to be comparable with normal control levels. In addition, it normalized liver malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and creatinine concentration. Chromatographic purification of F-2 resulted in the isolation of two flavonol glycosides that rarely occur in the plant kingdom, identified as quercetin-3, 5-di-O-beta-D-diglucoside (5) and kaempferol-3, 5-di-O-beta-D-diglucoside (4) in addition to the three known compounds identified as quercetin-3-O-alpha-L-rhamnosyl- (1-->6)-beta-D-glucoside [rutin, 3], quercetin-3-O-beta-D-glucoside [isoquercitrin, 2] and kaempferol-3-O-beta-D-glucoside [astragalin, 1]. These compounds were identified based on interpretation of their physical, chemical, and spectral data. Moreover, the spectrophotometric estimation of the flavonoids content revealed that the aerial parts of the plant contain an appreciable amount of flavonoids (0.89%) calculated as rutin. The data obtained from this study revealed that the flavonol glycosides of F-2 protect the rat liver from hepatic damage induced by CCl4 through inhibition of lipid peroxidation caused by CCl4 reactive free radicals.     

Phytochemical and pharmacological study of Ficus palmata growing in Saudi Arabia

Phytochemical study of the aerial parts of Ficus palmata utilizing liquid–liquid fractionation and different chromatographic techniques resulted in the isolation of a new isomer of psoralenoside namely, trans-psoralenoside (5) in addition to, one triterpene: germanicol acetate (1), two furanocoumarins: psoralene (2), bergapten (3), one aromatic acid vanillic acid (4) and the flavone glycoside rutin (6). Structures of the isolated compounds were established through physical, 1D- and 2D-NMR and MS data. The total extract and fractions of the plant were examined in vivo for its possible effects as hepatoprotective, nephroprotective, antiulcer and anticoagulant activities in comparison with standard drugs. Hepatoprotective activity was assessed via serum biochemical parameters including aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and total bilirubin. Tissue parameters such as non-protein sulfhydryl groups (NP-SH), malonaldehyde (MDA) and total protein (TP) were also measured. In addition to tissue parameters, nephroprotective effect was evaluated by measuring the serum levels of sodium, potassium, creatinine and urea. Histopathological study for both liver and kidney cells was also conducted. Antiulcer activity was explored by observing stomach lesions after treatment with ethanol. Whole blood clotting time (CT) was taken as a measure for the anticoagulant activity of the extract. Antioxidant activity of the total extract and fractions of the plant was measured using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method and ascorbic acid as standard.     

Analgesic,antipyretic, anti-inflammatory,hepatoprotective and nephritic effects of the aerial parts of Pulicaria arabica (Family: Compositae) on rats

ObjectiveTo explore the analgesic, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, hepatic and nephritic effects of Pulicaria arabica (P. arabica) in several experimental models.MethodsFor analgesic effect hot plate and writhing method were used, while for antipyretic and anti-inflammatory rectal temperature and carrageenan induced hind paw edema were used respectively. CCl₄ intoxication method was used for hepatic and nephritic protective activity.ResultsThe results of the present studies revealed that P. arabica has potent analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory with the significant hepatic and nephritic protecting actions. The CCl₄ intoxication changed the normal malondialdehyde and nonprotein sulfhydryls levels in both liver and kidney. These changes were normalized with P. arabica indicating the antioxidant nature of this plant.ConclusionsThe results of present study indicated that P. arabica can be used in analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory conditions even in hepatic and nephritic conditions. More supportive studies are required before clinical recommendation.     

Hepatoprotective and antioxidant capacity of Melochia corchorifolia extracts

ObjectiveTo evaluate hepato protective and antioxidant capacity of Melochia corchorifolia (M. corchorifolia) aerial part extracts.MethodsAntioxidant activity was evaluated by using three free radicals (Superoxide, Hydroxyl and DPPH) and hepatoprotective activity was assessed against CCl₄ induced liver intoxication in rats.ResultsThe extracts produced concentration dependent percentage protection in decrease of serum enzymes and percentage inhibition on free radicals. Among all extracts methanol extract showed better activity with percentage protection of SGOT (78.98%), SGPT (79.65%), ALP (82.48%) and total bilirubin (80.0%) levels against CCl₄ liver intoxication and also methanolic extract showed better activity with IC₅₀ values on superoxide, hydroxyl and DPPH radicals were 127 μ g, 240 μ g and 179 μ g.ConclusionsFrom the results obtained during the study it could be concluded that M. corchorifolia aerial part extracts have antioxidant and hepatoprotective components. Further study is necessary for isolation and characterization of bioactive molecules which are responsible for hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity.     

Evaluation of hepatoprotective effect of methanolic extract of Clitoria ternatea (Linn.) flower against acetaminophen-induced liver damage

Objective

To evaluate the hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity of Clitoria ternatea (C. ternatea) flower extract against acetaminophen-induced liver toxicity.

Methods

The antioxidant property of C. ternatea flower extract was investigated by employing established in vitro antioxidant assay. The C. ternatea flower extract was studied in this work for its hepatoprotective effect against acetaminophen-induced liver toxicity in mice. Activity was measured by monitoring the levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, billirubin and glutathione with histopathological analysis.

Results

The amount of total phenolics and flavonoids were estimated to be 105.40±2.47 mg/g gallic acid equivalent and 72.21±0.05 mg/g catechin equivalent respectively. The antioxidant activity of C. ternatea flower extract was 68.9% at a concentration of 1 mg/mL and was also concentration dependant, with an IC₅₀ value of 327.00 µg/mL. The results of acetaminophen-induced liver toxicity experiment showed that mice treated with the extract (200 mg/kg) showed a significant decrease in alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and bilirubin levels, which were all elevated in the paracetamol group (P<0.05). Meanwhile, the level of glutathione was found to be restored in extract treated animals compared to the groups treated with acetaminophen alone (P<0.05). Therapy of extract also showed its protective effect on histopathological alterations and supported the biochemical finding.

Conclusion

The present work confirmed the hepatoprotective effect of C. ternatea flower against model hepatotoxicant acetaminophen.     

药食两用植物竹叶椒近五年药理活性研究进展△

竹叶椒在我国是一种常见的花椒属药食两用植物,分布于我国大部分地区,结合近5年的文献资料,阐述竹叶椒药理活性研究成果,为深入研究该植物药理活性提供参考。     

Antioxidant and hepatoprotective activity of Fagonia schweinfurthii (Hadidi) Hadidi extract in carbon tetrachloride induced hepatotoxicity in HepG2 cell line and rats

Ethnopharmacological relevance

The whole plant of Fagonia schweinfurthii (Hadidi) Hadidi (Family: Zygophyllaceae) is used in variety of diseases including hepatic ailments in deserts and dry areas of India.

Aim of the study

To evaluate antioxidant and hepatoprotective activity of ethanolic extract from Fagonia schweinfurthii (Hadidi) Hadidi (FSEE) in carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) induced hepatotoxicity in HepG2 cell line and rats.

Materials and methods

In vitro antioxidant activity was determined by DPPH, ABTS radicals and hydrogen peroxide methods. In vitro cytotoxicity and hepatoprotective potential of FSEE were evaluated using HepG2 cells. Based on the cytotoxicity assay, FSEE (50, 100, 200 µg/ml) was assessed for hepatoprotective potential against CCl₄ induced toxicity in HepG2 cell line by monitoring cell viability, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransaminase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage, lipid peroxidation (LPO) and glutathione level (GSH). Further, in vivo hepatoprotective activity of FSEE was evaluated against CCl₄ induced hepatotoxicity in male Wistar albino rats. Rats were pre-treated with FSEE (200 mg, 400 mg kg⁻¹ day⁻¹ p.o.) for 7 days followed by a single dose of CCl₄ (1.0 ml/kg, i.p.) on 8th day. Silymarin was used as positive control. After 24 h of CCl₄ administration, various biochemical parameters like aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin (TB) and total protein (TP) levels were estimated in serum. The antioxidant parameters like superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, catalase (CAT) activity, glutathione (GSH) content and malondialdehyde (MDA) level in the liver homogenate were determined. Histopathological changes in the liver of different groups were also studied.

Results

The FSEE possessed strong antioxidant activity in vitro. The results indicated that CCl₄ treatment caused a significant decrease in cell viability. The CCl₄-induced changes in the HepG2 cells were significantly ameliorated by treatment of the FSEE. FSEE significantly prevented CCl₄ induced elevation of AST, ALT, ALP, TB, and CCl₄ induced decrease in total protein in rats. FSEE treated rat liver anti-oxidant parameters (SOD, CAT, MDA and GSH,) were significantly antagonized for the pro-oxidant effect of CCl₄. Histopathological studies also supported the protective effect of FSEE.

Conclusion

The results of this study revealed that FSEE has significant hepatoprotective activity. This effect may be due to the ability of the extract to inhibit lipid peroxidation and increase in the anti-oxidant enzymatic activity.